Porter County, Indiana

Historical Images of Porter County

Date: 1938Source Type: PhotographPublisher, Printer, Photographer: J. F.
HumistonPostmark: Not applicableCollection: Steven R. ShookRemark:The Gary and Valparaiso Railway's
Valparaiso Line operated from 1917 to October 23, 1938, when it was abandoned.
The interurban provided hourly runs between Garyton (East Gary/Lake Station) and
Valparaiso for many years. During the Great Depression, however, the schedule
was reduced, with runs being operated every two hours. The discontinuance of
interurban service was largely affected by the increasing use of automobiles, an
improved highway system, and the financial depression. A freight service was
also run on this line, transporting goods between Gary, LaPorte, South Bend, and
Goshen. Milk cars were especially important in moving this commodity to larger
population centers located to the west; milk cars were run on this line between
Chesterton, Gary, Hammond, Indiana Harbor, LaPorte, and Valparaiso. Milk traffic
on the line increased from 70 cans a day in 1913 to 270 cans by 1916. Milk cars
continued operation from Valparaiso to Hammond until 1924.
Originally called Van Loon Lake, Wauhob Lake was purchased by Olcott Dillingham.
William Wahoub acquired ownership of the land and lake after marrying Betsy
Electa Dillingham on January 28, 1837, renaming the lake after himself. By 1876,
Wauhob Lake was owned by Chauncey Elwood. Around 1900, Elwood sold his property
to Isaac W. Dillingham, who also owned farm land to the north of Elwood's
property. Along the western shore of Wauhob Lake ran the Valparaiso & Northern
Railway's interurban line, and a station was established at the lake. At the
northwest side of the lake a deep cut, known as the Wauhob Cut, was made into the
hillside during the construction of the interurban line as it proceeded north to
its junction at Woodville. The Wauhob Cut is visible today from County Road 700
North, east of Indiana State Road 49.